CNA Salary

Boston vs Fall River: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Fall River, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$50,683
$24.37/hr
Fall River, MA
$48,746
$23.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAFall River, MA
Median Salary$50,683$48,746
Hourly Rate$24.37$23.44
Entry Level (P10)$42,802$41,006
25th Percentile$47,861$44,043
75th Percentile$53,314$55,335
Top Earner (P90)$63,314$60,858
Total Employed26,13021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($50,683) and Fall River ($48,746) certified nursing assistant salaries.BostonFall RiverMedian Salary$50,683$48,746Entry Level (P10)$42,802$41,006Top Earner (P90)$63,314$60,858US Median $45,007

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fall River.

The salary gap between Boston and Fall River is $1,937 (3.97%). Boston's median is +12.61% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $20,512,Fall River spans $19,852. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$42,802
P25$47,861
Median$50,683
P75$53,314
P90 (Top)$63,314
Fall River
P10 (Entry)$41,006
P25$44,043
Median$48,746
P75$55,335
P90 (Top)$60,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($46,813 effective) pays 4.20% more than Fall River ($44,927 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $50,683
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $46,813
Fall River
Nominal: $48,746
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,927

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,683/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,314)
  • Larger job market (26,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,813)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Fall River if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Boston grew 35.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in Fall River over the same period.

Boston, MA

+35.4%

$35,150 (2019) → $47,590 (2025)

Fall River, MA

+1.7%

$44,986 (2024) → $45,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Boston or Fall River?

Boston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $50,683/year, compared to Fall River at $48,746/year — a difference of $1,937 (3.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Fall River?

Boston certified nursing assistants earn $24.37/hr while Fall River hygienists earn $23.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Fall River as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Fall River. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $46,813, Fall River = $44,927), job availability (26,130 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Boston vs Fall River?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,802 in Boston and $41,006 in Fall River. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov